30 September 2014

What to do if debt collectors come after you - and you know they have the wrong person!

If you receive a letter demanding money you do not believe you owe, write immediately to the firm involved using the words 'I dispute this debt'. This will put the action on hold.

Do not telephone, but always deal in writing, keeping a copy of all correspondence.

Find out whether the firm is a member of the Credit Services Association (CSA), which has a code of conduct and a complaints procedure. Unfortunately, not all firms are members.

If the problem escalates, write again to the debt collector asking it to provide evidence that you are responsible for the debt and warning that the onus is on the firm to prove this to be the case. Meanwhile, make a complaint to the CSA.

Make a complaint to the financial ombudsman, which now has responsibility for debt collection firms.

From the Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/borrowing/11124284/I-had-perfect-finances-until-I-was-stuck-with-anothers-debt.html